Pearls of Wisdom - Pure & Powerful

By Dr. Liz Anderson Peacock

Pearls of Wisdom unites over 400 years of practice experience. Phenomenal doctors who are workingwomen, mothers, daughters, sisters and mentors to many share with frank openness emotional and motivational stories on maintaining focus while moving forward and experiencing life events. Dr. Liz ties their stories together to share vignettes on working through pain, birth, death, practice, and all of life's little surprises. A poignant, authentic, no holds barred book to which any woman can relate. Not only do you come to appreciate the dynamics of being a woman, but gather a sense of love for the chiropractic profession. This book is a brilliant display of professional leaders with one booming 'revelation' after another, and spectacularly pieced together. It provokes you to ask yourself questions for growth and guides you through pivotal life experiences. At a minimum, you will gain a renewed passion to serve in any endeavor you choose. A must read, to implement approaches from their collective wisdom.

"Pearls of Wisdom is filled with incredible gifts of insight from many talented and wise people. No matter what type of wisdom you are seeking - health, life or other, you will find many inspiring pearls in this book and you will refer to it throughout your lifetime."
~ Dr. Eric Plasker, CEO The Family Practice, Inc., Best Selling Author, The 100 Year Lifestyle

"Knowing Dr. Liz and many of the contributing authors of this book, I knew this book would be filled with the wisdom of those who have reached within themselves and touched the source of infinite possibilities -- which is indeed the source of all. As I started reviewing the various contributions, I was inspired by the clarity and certainty each of these pure and powerful woman expresses in describing their journey towards living an innately guided life. The wisdom within these pages, when applied, will transform lives. Those who read this book and apply its wisdom will touch and release the innate giant within and discover the life of their dreams that has been within them since they were loved into existence. This book offers to all who integrate its wisdom into their being, the pure and powerful life that living innately provides."
~ Dr. Peter Amlinger, International Speaker, coach and 2007 Canadian Chiropractor of the Year

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Apr 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9780981835396

Book preview

guidance.

Foreword

Dr. Liz Anderson-Peacock

Innate intelligence knows more in one second than you can ever know.

~ B.J. Palmer

Why an Oyster and Pearl on the cover? The formation of a natural pearl begins when a foreign substance slips into an oyster between the mantle and the shell, irritating the mantle. It is somewhat like the oyster getting a splinter. The oyster’s innate response is to protect itself by walling-off the irritant. It adapts by enveloping the irritant with layers of the same substance used to create the shell. This process eventually forms a pearl. So, a priceless gem, a pearl arises as a result of an uncomfortable stress an oyster overcomes.

This process is analogous to our lives, since life presents invariable irritations as we experience, adapt, change and integrate our world. From this we grow as human beings. We learn more from mistakes than from what we know. We implement what we think we know, and observe the resulting effect. Through living we gain wisdom. We are each unique and need to express and celebrate our uniqueness. No one else walks this earth as you. Just as pearls, people posses a variety of characteristics. Crises create opportunity for us to stretch and create something new – just as an oyster creates a pearl.

Pearls of Wisdom, Pure & Powerful was conceived at the end of March 2010. I sent a thought into the Universe on how phenomenal workingwomen could feel more connected to others and to themselves. Our technology is connecting us more than ever; however, there is less emotional connection and support. We speak less often, we share less than we used to, and only in sound bites. We read headlines and summaries. Technology makes us run at full-speed at all times. We feel obligated to always be on the go, and have no excuses for less than full throttle. We may communicate more often, but about less and less important things – reality television shows, fashion trends, latest fads, negative news; but what about real connection?

What is important to you? Why did you enter into your profession? What do you love about it? What do you value? When was the last time you wrote yourself a thank you letter? When was the last time you reassessed your vocation and how your practice reflects your values? Or does it?

When I ask my clients to define the difference between what they do and who they are, they are perplexed by the question. We seem to define ourselves more and more by what we do and what we have accomplished. If what you do was eliminated, how would your definition of self be impacted? Would you characterize yourself differently?

I have recently had the experience of change within my own life, and one of the gifts has been for me to become reacquainted with the essence of who I am.

Are we limiting ourselves to what we think we ought to act or look like? Or rather, are we expressing our inborn potential through our art and styles of practice, through our communication in how we listen, teach and mentor? Are we following the guidance of our intuition?

The collaborating writers within Pearls of Wisdom, Pure & Powerful have had very different experiences within our profession, each finding a uniquely fitting path to follow. Everyone has a story to tell, and the significance of sharing the tales of our experience comes with the lessons learned. Stories connect people, provide insight; they make us smile, laugh and cry. Through telling stories of our experience, we share our journey in life together, allowing us to come to know one another just a little more intimately.

The Birth Of A Book

At the end of March 2010, an email invitation to be a part of the creation of this book was forwarded to twenty-five women Chiropractors possessing a great deal of practice experience. They were allotted thirty-days to write approximately ten pages on one or a combination of three story topics: a poignant patient story; why they entered into a Vitalistic Profession; and/or to share a valuable piece of knowledge they learned through practicing – knowledge potentially helpful for other women and Chiropractors.

With the time and topic parameters required for involvement, six women responded by saying they would like to participate, but given their present situation could not meet the time-lines. For those that did not participate, I appreciated the boundaries they set for themselves; as for many females, we have challenges in saying No.

This book does not purport to represent all of the exceptional women in our field, although, there were a few qualifying characteristics considered for participation. Chief distinctions included experience in practice, with representation of a Vitalistic practice-style – meaning those that teach and live the Principles as taught by our founders. The truth in why we deliver a Chiropractic adjustment is extremely significant to us. We teach the basics, the supremacy and integrative qualities of the nervous system as the master controlling system of the body. Interference within the nervous system, direct or indirect, changes the potential for natural communication within the body.

The doctors contributing to this manuscript have oodles of life experience. No doubt we all have faced the challenges that come with running and managing a practice: fear, doubt, rejection, hurt, embarrassment and humility. On the flip side, we also have experienced the fulfillment our vocation offers: joy, opportunity, reward, connection, nurturing, and miracles. Not to say these are lessons learned from reading about them in a book or hearing about them in a lecture, but instead through first-hand life experience.

These women talk and live congruent Principles, and are consistent on and off the stage. Our contributions are the essence of who we are, and putting our best efforts forward, how we try to live. Just as any human, we have our own flaws, moments of struggle, and are presented with new lessons in life. Not everything is easy. During the times when we may not have been living in harmony, we express the feelings associated with friction, and how we eventually returned onto a path of purpose.

We made mistakes, stood-up to unanticipated adversity, and at times, steered through 180˚ turns. We learned and grew. We became stronger. Our conquests contribute to a collective wisdom. Our hope is to assist you in growth. It matters not if you are a prospective student, a graduate, a veteran, a Chiropractor, or even an electrician. Upon reading this book, one could literally replace and re-insert the title of any profession. The lessons are not limited to one profession or one group of women, but universal to all.

Continually, the contributing writers donate countless hours of time on behalf of our Chiropractic profession: conference calls, in-person meetings, association meetings discussing directions of regulations, associations, educational requirements, seminar preparations, mentoring… the list goes on. They are involved and speaking their voices, displaying attributes for making a difference. When not directly involved, then supporting someone with similar values is an equally valuable contribution. Support comes in many forms and women are masters at collaborative efforts.

Giving It Up To The Universe

This book is a reflection of what I ultimately envisioned and sent into the Universe. When the original idea came to me, I inherently knew the contributors would triumph with their stories illustrating commonalities logically strung together as one. I trusted the loose style of my email request to be enough to arouse a naturally-right flow.

As women, we speak through our emotional experience. Even with all we may cognitively know, we do not change until we feel it. Knowledge is valuable, but until we are moved or touched by something or someone, we usually do not change. When we feel it, it becomes us.

As doctors, we are only too often in our heads; yet as facilitators of healing, are more dynamic when in our hearts. We share our practices and real life moments with you. We know you have similar experiences. Data and information without experience is merely philosophy; but when we have a personal experience it becomes real and part of our life. We are changed, we learn, we integrate, and we become wiser.

Others Want To Hear Your Voice

While speaking at the Canadian Association of Family Enterprises (CAFE) meeting about family business hosted at our office, I realized our job is not to make the next generation’s life easier per se, but perhaps to provide a future with greater opportunity to excel in ways we can only dream of now. As we have benefitted from those before us, we are planting seeds for those that follow. As a result, many are flying further, faster and earlier then us. I cannot imagine a better profession to enter into as a woman, and we hope this book will help you along your journey.

Many of the contributing authors mentor, some additionally coach, so please know we hear and truly understand the challenges expressed by our sisters. We invite you into our world and appreciate you, as we are a reflection of you and you of us.

At the end of the book, there are several engaging assignments. Specifically, the assignment called Applying the Bullets to Your Life to use for your own self-study by correlating the bullet points highlighted at the end of each chapter. We hope this book creates a connection from one to another, and look forward to Volume II.

Welcome & Enjoy,

Dr. Liz

Once you get the big idea, all else follows.

~ B.J. Palmer

1

Response Ability

Dr. Liz Anderson-Peacock

I remember the day I discovered Chiropractic. It was life changing. During my years in university, I watched many friends go into their respective fields after two years of pre-whatever. Dentistry, medicine, and law were the common ones. I was unsure what I would do after earning my Bachelor of Science, but decided I would finish the program to buy time for choosing my career.

At that time, I knew three people who entered a profession called Chiropractic. I had never heard of a Chiropractor. I had no idea what they did, but was curious. When my friends and I reunited after their first year in their programs, the medical students looked spent, complained of exhaustion, hair loss, ulcers and many were taking multiple meds. In contrast, the Chiropractic students, though tired from the rigorous hours of academics, were generally more excited about life, could hardly wait to explain how the body functions and to apply their newly learned knowledge. They wanted to palpate landmarks on people. They wanted to see and experience people. It struck me as peculiar, since both of the professions had similar academic studies in the first year. I assumed it was due to the culture of how things were taught through the institutions. Their personas’ made an indelible impression on me.

As I continued through university, I was drawn to study anatomy. In my fourth year, I enrolled in a comparative anatomy course and an anatomy of mammals course. Both involving anatomical drawings of my dissections, along with the interplay of comparing structure and function. In my fourth year working a summer job with parks and recreation in Alberta, I hurt my low back and went to my first Chiropractic appointment.

So I went to a Chiropractor: Dr. Judy Forrester in Calgary. She asked me about my history, and while performing an examination, checked my full spine. While palpating my neck, she inquired about sinus problems, allergies, stuffy nose, watery eyes and asked if I experienced any symptoms.

To make a long story short, I experienced severe environmental allergies as a child, endured ten years of allergy shots and multiple medications. I remember back to the age of five chewing Allerest, Dimetapp or Pyribenzamine before swallowing with a glass of water. I had an air purifier in my bedroom. My family resided on a beautiful fresh water lake in Barrie, Ontario. I was a very enthusiastic and active tomboy, and loved to swim and play outdoors. Suffering from allergies began every year in June and continued through the first frost.

So Dr. Judy’s question struck me as interesting. Since I had been taking the medications, I assumed all was well within. I appreciated the break from symptoms the meds provided so I could continue on with life. When she asked, I remember thinking, What does my neck have to do with allergies?

The Chiropractor asked me the cause of my allergies, and I made the standard reply, Primarily dust, molds, dander and pollens.

She asked, Why?

I replied, Because my body is releasing too much histamine when exposed to allergens.

She asked, Why is your body making too much histamine?

I gave a circular reply, Because it is reacting to the pollens, dust, dander and mold.

Realizing I was not understanding her point, she changed her line of questioning and asked, If you and I are breathing the same air, wouldn’t we both be breathing air with the same pollens?

I nodded a yes.

"If you and I are breathing the same pollens in the air, then shouldn’t we both be having the same response if the allergens were the true cause of allergies?"

I had no answer. I thought my symptoms were due to allergens and by taking drugs and allergy shots the problem would resolve. I never thought to ask why my body was doing something different than other people. I had never considered asking or looking at how other people may have been living their lives differently from me.

She then explained the modulating effect of the nervous system on the immune system, and how they communicate with one other. She said I likely had an insult in my neck at some point in my past, impacting my body’s ability to adapt to the environment. My body was responding, but not appropriately for the situation.

I went home and asked my mother about the possibility of a childhood trauma, and she noted that I experienced two black eyes during a car accident at around age two. No seatbelt laws in those days, and I was in the front seat. The collision caused me to fly out of the seat and hit the dashboard headfirst. I was checked-out by doctors and told I was fine, although my mother does not remember my neck being checked.

In consideration of Dr. Judy’s proposition of a childhood trauma causing insult to my neck, I thought back to my younger years. I used to see how many steps I could jump in-flight down the stairs in my house. Most of the time I landed on the pillows – the operative word being ‘most.’ Also, there were the bicycle wrecks: riding into the side of the house multiple times because I did not know how to use the brakes, or the time a stick was caught in the spokes of my front wheel and I fell on my face chipping a tooth. I played sports, fell out of trees, and so on; pick one incident, they were all physically traumatic.

To Change Others Worlds, First Change Yourself

I retuned to Dr. Judy’s office and had my first adjustment and my world changed. My low back was not nearly as important to me as resolving my allergies. Of course, at first I did not fully grasp the importance of rest and diet. I did not yet understand how they affected the chemistry within my body, particularly the excitability of my neuro-immune system. But, upon my first adjustment, my allergies improved immediately by about 75-80 percent. I stopped the drugs; I stopped the allergy shots, and felt like I had a new found life. As if someone removed earmuffs from my ears and the fog clouding my brain, I felt able to process information faster, and with greater clarity and integration.

The following fall semester I entered Chiropractic as a career.

Without A Plan

Upon graduating from Chiropractic school, I was without a plan. I fell back on some opportunities, but in retrospect I had not fully prepared myself for the work required to begin a practice. I thought, like many, I would graduate and people would just start pouring into my office for care. I thought the hard part (school) was over. What a wake up call.

I began what I referred to as my ‘default practice’ in a location and a city I was not fond of. A smarter person would have asked Why? Sometimes the things we need to learn are so apparent to others, but in the moment not to ourselves. Practice was slow, arduous and I was depressed. I had done well in school, yet in my first practice felt like an utter failure. I had never envisioned I would experience complications starting out. Everything seemed so difficult. I worked long hours and commuted a great distance for a number of months. I woke up at 4:30 AM and returned home by 9:30 PM. In retrospect, if I had a patient working those hours five and a half days a week including Saturday mornings, I would have said it was unsustainable over time.

When the winter came, I moved closer to the office. But still, I muscled through every moment. I was not congruent with what I advised to patients, not eating well nor living well. In the morning, I grabbed coffee and something with high sugar content to stimulate my energy. By the time I returned home in the evening, I was no longer hungry; if I ate it kept me awake later. I was in the vicious cycle of being too tired for physical activity, and made the clichéd excuse of ‘not having enough time’ to exercise. I was so unhappy and heading in a downward spiral.

At the end of one day, I remember sitting by my bookshelf seeing a piece of paper between two books. I pulled it out, an essay I wrote prior to school on why I wanted to become a Chiropractor. To change lives, to make a difference, to be of service, to use my brain and physical skills. My eyes welled-up in disappointed with myself. I felt deep sadness and embarrassment. I sat blaming everyone else, shifting the responsibility elsewhere, not yet accepting it as my own. I remember thinking I would just leave the profession and do something else; that it was not for me. I almost did. I knew something needed to change. Not long after that evening, I began to realize it was me.

There Are No Failures, Only Lessons

About the same time as my practice seemed to be failing, my intimate relationship with a colleague was failing. Neither of us was happy. I am sure I contributed mostly to our dismay, as I was so miserable I didn’t even want to be around myself. So I relished in my ‘pauvre moi’ attitude, repelling most everyone around me.

The pivotal decision to leave that practice, the relationship, my house, and to move was instrumental for my future growth. By no means was it easy, though. I remember packing and traveling ‘home’ to the town where I grew up, the same town my parents retired back to. My move back home was the sort of retreat with one’s tail between their legs, very humbling and with feelings of inadequacy. My parents showed nothing less than loving support, and had more confidence in me than I did in myself. All I knew, I was starting over. Moving forward on my own, I created a sink or swim situation: no one to rescue me, my outcome fully dependent upon me. Unknowingly at that time, I was creating a springboard for my future.

After my move, I reconnected with former Chiropractic classmates, who loved what they were doing in their practices. I asked them what they had done to help themselves in practice. They noted, The Carter Program. I asked what it entailed, and they said I just had to experience it.

I remember receiving the registration material and thinking I could not afford the fees. In deep thought, I recognized that what I was enduring had to be more painful than change. Knowing I did not want to repeat what I had preciously created, I needed to do something drastically different. Sometimes we change when the pain of the same becomes greater than the pain of change, and that was my primary motivator to join the program.

Unaware of the synchronicity, I listened to a cassette tape series: You See It When You Believe It, by Dr. Wayne Dyer. Parts of the series hit me like a ton of bricks. My paraphrased memory of his words resonate, "Why worry about things you can change, because if you can change them then just change them. Furthermore, Why worry about things you cannot change, because if you cannot control them in any way, let them go." Simple to say, difficult to do, yet the concept encouraged me then, and carries with me still.

Anew in my hometown, I began reorganizing my life. I introduced myself to local colleagues. Two said, Don’t come here, it is pretty full, implying the city reached a saturation of Chiropractors. There were about eight or nine at the time. The others embraced me with open arms. I thought, Humm, interesting, making a mental note of the two with a scarcity complex.

I was granted a bank loan – but only with the co-signing of a male. Although very thankful to my father for co-signing, I wondered if the same would have been required if I was male. It only fed my determination. I made my own bench tables and upholstered them myself, acquired used office furniture, then hired an assistant – the small business grant affording the initial months of her employment.

I opened my small practice and attended my first Carter Program. Formidable, it addressed full-on responsibility, commitment and accountability in everything we think, say and do. The top three ‘take home lessons’ from the program included:

1. Practice reflects me, and professional growth is in accordance to personal growth.

2. If I do not like an outcome, I change something; only I can foster change, no one else.

3. Practice is about being of service to patients first. Meet them where they are ; listen, educate, provide choices and guidance. Service to others always comes first. Everything you think, say and do is intended as benefit.

At times, we have all been in circumstances of absolute frustration, fear and despair. I testify I would not change one part of this process, for the lessons promoted my growth.

Responsibility On A New Level

I learned responsibility is a duty first to oneself to commit fully to what one says one will do, and having the discipline to live by one’s word. Responsibility makes us trustworthy, reliable and solid. Responsibility means when one commits to something or someone, it is seen through. If things should drastically change and a commitment is broken, then one is upfront and honest to modify the agreement.

The change I yearned for presented within each part of my day. Implementing organizational procedures, I reduced my hours, served more people, attended seminars and still had time to read and exercise. Within six months, I developed my practice to its full capacity, which has been maintained throughout my career. I met wonderful like-minded colleagues and we gathered for philosophical discussions. To gain clarity, we asked why we do what we do? We had regular mastermind meetings, challenging each other to be better, to serve in more ways. As I grew, so did my practice. I am grateful to Jim Carter and remember fondly and cherish the colleagues I met during the ‘Carter Days.’

Ask For Help And It Will Appear

I was delivered into a higher sphere of influence. My study of the works by Dr. John Demartini in the latter part of the Eighties continued to expand my mind: Breakthrough, quantum healing, spiritual healing, speed-reading. I attended DE’s in Atlanta, Sigafoose’s Gathering, Little Crow, also known as Ron Gentry. Gentry was an apprentice to an elder in the Choctaw tribe, and lead me through arrowhead and Native American teachings.

Each of my breakthroughs connected me more intimately with my heart and intuition, guiding me towards yet more lessons for growth. Over this time, I met my current husband Barry, who continues to offer great influence in my life.

When I was the ready student, the teachers appeared. In the early Nineties, I started attending Seminars, such as Total Solutions, Pure and Powerful, and have continued regular attendance at Parker Seminars since 1990. The seminars I attended early on in my career were most impressionable. Without question, I admit any seminar could have inspired the creative change needed within me. I eagerly ran after my dreams and the vision of my practice.

Passion For People, Profession And Principle

The combination of the colleagues I spent time with and the seminars I attended filled my heart and stirred a serious passion to serve my community, as well as the profession. While also being very serious, I certainly have fun while serving both.

My vocation exists due to my community – specifically, the patients I serve daily. I offer gratitude to patients and the community at large for their support and for providing a wonderful lifestyle and surrounding environment for living. With thanks I give back, maintaining the flow and balance of what comes in with what goes out. If I covet what comes in, the Universal Principle of motion is broken. As B.J. Palmer said, Motion is Life and Life is Motion. His thought applies on both a macroscopic and quantum level. Involvement with supporting groups and charities is one way to complete the cycle of giving and receiving.

The ability to practice relies heavily upon governing bodies and associations. In support of the growth of my profession, I am compelled to serve on a variety of committees as opportunity arises. I feel strongly about stepping forward to serve on behalf of a cause greater than myself.

A profession is a reflection of those within it, every voice and opinion matters. Each quantifiably adds up to determine the tone and direction of a profession. We are carrying a torch from forefathers before us, persecuted and jailed merely because they were Chiropractors. What if they gave up on their ideals, or allowed their Principles to be over ruled by the masses? Where would we be today?

Sitting on numerous boards and committees in many ways has been an eye opener, providing visibility of the various schools of thought. I have gained appreciation of others’ perspectives, even if I may not fully agree with them.

Within our profession exists a remarkable breadth and depth to naturally attract different populations of people. The organizing Principles of D.D. Palmer, B.J. Palmer, and Stephenson lay our ground. Fundamentally, we are based on a Vitalistic model. The daily practice and application of the Laws of Life and Vitalistic Universal Principles distinguish Chiropractic within the field of health care. Our celebration comes with being able to maintain our uniqueness to manifest a divine shift in flow of current health systems.

To understand how we have been delivered to where we are today, and to connect with our pioneers, I joined groups with a long list of our professions’ historical figures. I met some really old, old-timers and felt blessed to break bread with them, hearing their stories before they passed.

Now, I realize sitting on committees or serving in elected offices is not for everyone. There are many ways to serve and make an impact. Being supportive of like-minded individuals, attending meetings, asking questions, donating to schools, research groups, and other